Marching band rifle with adjustable weighting

ABSTRACT

A marching band rifle with adjustable weighting comprising a plastic rifle body includes a stock section and a tip section, where the stock section includes a recess, and a plurality of weights, where each of the weights is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess, and a bolt is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess to secure the plurality of weights to the stock section. Advantageously, the plastic rifle may be more resilient to impact forces caused by the rifle being dropped (for example, not being caught after being thrown) and is less weight than a conventional wooden toy rifle. In addition, the adjustable weighting feature of the rifle allows the rifle weighting to be optimized for each individual to facilitate ease of use.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/141,131 filed Dec. 29, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to plastic toy rifles, and in particular to a plastic toy rifle with adjustable weighting for use, for example, by a marching band member.

Marching bands have traditionally used wooden replicas of rifles for their band members. These band members often twirl, throw and catch the wooden rifles. However, the wooden rifles are often bulky and made from inferior wood that can shatter when the rifle is not caught properly and strikes the ground.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved marching band rifle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a marching band rifle with adjustable weighting comprising a plastic rifle body having a stock section and a tip section, where the stock section includes a recess, and a plurality of weights, where each of the weights is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess; a bolt is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess to secure the plurality of weights to the stock section.

The plurality of weights may include washers with a central opening to receive the bolt. A receiving section may be attached to a top surface of the plastic rifle body. A removable and replaceable butt pad may be secured to the stock section to cover the recess containing the plurality of weights and the bolt. In addition, a tip pad may be secured to the tip section.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of a toy rifle body; and

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembled toy rifle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of a toy rifle body 10. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional illustration of an assembled toy rifle 11. The toy rifle body is preferably a rotationally molded plastic unitary structure of, for example, conventional marching band rifle length. The rifle body includes a stock section 12 and a tip section 14. In addition, the rifle body also includes a bolt receiving section 16. A butt pad 18 is secured to the stock section of the rifle, for example, by two screws 20, 22. Advantageously, according to an aspect of the present invention, an adjustable amount of weight may be added or removed from the butt section of the rifle in order to facilitate handling and tossing of the rifle by a marching band member. For example, within a recess 24 a variable number of washers 26 may be added in order to provide the selectable amount of weight at the butt end of the rifle. For example, in one embodiment, a number of washers between 0 and 30 provides thirty-one selectable weighting options for the butt end of the rifle. The washers 26 may be secured by a screw 82 to the rifle body.

A decorative bolt section 30 is attached to the rifle by screws 32, 34. In addition, the rifle may also include a strap 36 secured to the rifle with swivel clips 38, 40 and their associated screws 42, 44, respectively. The tip section of the rifle may also include an adjustable weighting feature similar to the structure illustrated on the butt end of the rifle. In addition, the tip end includes a tip pad 46, for example, of rubber.

Advantageously, the plastic rifle may be more resilient to impact forces caused by the rifle being dropped (for example, not being caught after being thrown) and is less weight than a conventional wooden toy rifle. In addition, the adjustable weighting feature of the rifle allows the rifle weighting to be optimized for each individual to facilitate ease of use. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that securable weighted objects other than washers may be used to provide the adjustable weighting feature. For example, a variable number of nuts may be used with the bolt. In another example, one or more ingots of various known masses are secured within the recess with the bolt.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described with respect to several preferred embodiments thereof, various changes, omissions and additions to the form and detail thereof, may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A marching band rifle with adjustable weighting, comprising: a plastic rifle body having a stock section and a tip section, where the stock section includes a recess; a plurality of weights, where each of the weights is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess; a bolt that is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess to secure the plurality of weights to the stock section.
 2. The marching band rifle of claim 1, wherein the plurality of weights includes washers with a central opening to receive the bolt.
 3. The marching band rifle of claim 2, comprising a receiving section attached to a top surface of the plastic rifle body.
 4. The marching band rifle of claim 2, comprising a butt pad that is removeably and replaceably secured to the stock section and covers the recess containing the plurality of weights and the bolt.
 5. The marching band rifle of claim 4, comprising a tip pad secured to the tip section.
 6. A toy rifle with adjustable stock weighting, comprising: a plastic rifle body having a stock section and a tip section, where the stock section includes a recess in a shoulder pad of the stock section; a plurality of weights, where each of the weights is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess; a bolt that is removeably and replaceably secured within the recess to secure the plurality of weights to the stock section.
 7. The toy rifle of claim 6, wherein the plurality of weights includes washers with a central opening to receive the bolt.
 8. The toy rifle of claim 6, comprising a receiving section attached to a top surface of the plastic rifle body.
 9. The toy rifle of claim 2, comprising a butt pad that is removeably and replaceably secured to the stock section and covers the recess containing the plurality of weights and the bolt.
 10. The toy rifle of claim 9, comprising a rubber tip pad secured to the tip section. 